There will likely come a time when your dog will become sick. Caring for a sick dog can take a lot of work, but there are things that you can do to make your dog more comfortable while they heal. Keeping your dog hydrated, comfortable, and well rested will help them heal more comfortably.

Steps

Part 1

Managing Their Symptoms

1

Take your dog to the veterinarian. Once you notice that your dog is sick, you should take them to the veterinarian so the vet can diagnose your dog’s condition. You should take note of your dog’s symptoms and be as specific as possible so you can let the vet know what has been going on.[1]

Your veterinarian will likely give you recommendations on how to treat and manage your dog’s symptoms. Write these down and use them to care for your dog.

2

Administer medicine, if prescribed. Your sick dog may have been prescribed a medicine by their veterinarian to treat either their condition or their symptoms. Make sure to follow the veterinarian’s recommendations for dosing.

Never give your dog any medication that has not been prescribed by their veterinarian. You should never give them any people medicine either, unless it has been okayed by your vet.[2]

Some dogs may not want to take pills; you can try to hide the pill in a small teaspoon of peanut butter or wrap it in a small piece of bread.

3

Cool them down. Dogs can suffer from fevers and become overheated. Sick dogs aren’t able to regulate their body temperature as efficiently as they normally are, so they need your help to cool down. If your dog is experiencing these, you’ll need to keep your dog cool and dry. Keep your dog in an air-conditioned area or under a fan.[3]

Cool water and ice cubes will also help your dog cool down.

4

Or, keep them warm. Alternatively, you may need to keep your dog warm. Often, sick dogs will shiver or shake from the cold. Keep your dog indoors in a heated area. When you do take them outside so they can relieve themselves, dress them warmly and use dog boots to protect their paws.[4]

You can wrap them in a warm blanket or use a hot water bottle. Make sure the hot water bottle is wrapped in a towel so it won’t burn your pet.

5

Calm an upset stomach. An upset stomach is one of the more common symptoms a dog can have when they’re sick. Your dog may be vomiting, avoid eating or have a poor appetite, or try to eat grass to calm their stomach.[5]

Dogs eat grass to cleanse their systems as a natural way to cure their upset stomachs. However, this won’t always work and your dog may not even want to eat grass.[6]

You should feed your dog bland foods, like rice with boiled chicken or banana baby food.

Part 2

Keeping Them Comfortable

1

Keep them hydrated. A sick dog can become dehydrated in just a few hours, especially if they are vomiting or suffering from diarrhea. They aren’t able to retain water like they normally do, so they need consistent access to water.

Offer them water that is cool and fresh. Remember that they will need to be taken outside to relieve themselves more frequently when they drink more water.

Some sig dogs may not want to drink water. In this case, you can either use a wet cloth to dampen their gums every hour, or give them ice cubes to lick. This way, your dog still gets some hydration.[7]

2

Check for signs of dehydration. Dehydration is a serious condition that can occur when your dog is losing more fluid than they’re taking in. If your dog is showing signs of dehydration, you can give them an electrolyte drink mixed with water every few hours. You can find a drink mix at pet stores that are specially formulated for dogs, though mixes like Pedialyte can work in a pinch. Early signs of dehydration include:[8]

Dry mouth, gums, or nose

Lack of skin elasticity (if you gently pinch a small section of their skin it should immediately go back into place)

Visible fatigue

Drunk or sunken eyes

3

Slowly reintroduce food. Your sick dog still needs nutrition although they may not always feel up for eating. Rather than feed them their normal feed, you can feed them other foods that are easy to digest.

Feed them foods that are low in fat and easy to digest like rice, boiled potatoes, and skinless boiled chicken. Do not season or salt the food.

If your dog has vomited, wait 12 hours before feeding them. After the twelve hours, try giving them a small amount of food, around 2 to 3 teaspoons. Wait for 30 to 60 minutes to make sure they do not vomit again. If they are able to hold the food down, you can give them a little more food every 1 to 2 hours.[9]

4

Reintroduce their dog food. If your dog has responded well to the bland food and hasn’t vomited again and seems to be feeling better, you can start to reintroduce their dog food into their diet. On the first day, start with a 50/50 mix of bland food and their dog food.

When they are able to keep their dog food down in a 50/50 mix, you can begin to feed your dog their food without any of the bland food.

5

Make a comfortable sleeping area. Sick dogs need a lot of rest and a comfortable area to sleep in. Your dog needs a clean, comfortable, quiet, and dimly lit place to rest in. If they do not have a padded bed, add blankets to make their beds more comfortable.[10]

If your dog is suffering from incontinence due to their illness, you can lay down a puppy pad. This way, the dog won’t have to lay in their mess if they happen to vomit or urinate during the night.

6

Feed your dog. Often times, dogs who aren’t feeling well will chose to fast for a day or two. This may occur if your dog has been under anesthesia for surgery, has a fever, or they have vomited. When they are ready, feed them small meals frequently. Take their normal size portion and divide into smaller portions so they can eat every two or three hours. It is a good idea to keep a log of what and how frequently your dog eats. This way, if they don’t seem to be getting better you can share this log with the vet.[11]

If your dog has vomited, don’t feed them anything for 12 to 24 hours. Their stomachs need time to rest and recuperate before they try to eat again.[12]

Depending on their condition, the vet might recommend a special diet. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions and monitor your dog closely.

7

Keep your dog clean. Your sick dog might soil themselves with urine, feces, or vomit when they are sick. This will make them uncomfortable and it isn’t good for their skin. Give them a gentle bath to help make them more comfortable and to keep them clean. #*Take a clean cotton cloth and soak it in warm clean water. Gently wash the dog’s fur and soiled areas. Continue to soak the cloth and rinse until the area is clean.

Part 3

Calming and Relaxing Your Dog

1

Speak in a calming voice. Your dog might feel anxious and vulnerable when they are sick. They will look to you for reassurance that they will be okay and that you’ll take care of them. Speak to them in a gentle and calm voice to help relax them.

Tell them that you love and care about them. Even though they can’t understand the words, they’ll understand your tone.

2

Stay calm. Your attitude around your pet can affect how they’re feeling. When you’re anxious, stressed, panicked, or scared, your dog will notice. Think of yourself as your dog’s superhero. You’re in charge and your actions and attitude set the stage for how your dog will feel.[13]

Spending quality time with your dog will make them feel secure and loved.

3

Be affectionate with your pet. Since they are feeling ill, they need to be comforted. Physical affection through gentle pats and pets, hugs, and stroking can all be comforting for your pet.

Be extra careful if your dog has any incision sites from surgery when you are petting them.

You can give them a gentle dog massage by focusing on pressure points on their ears, feet, and the top of their head.[14]

4

Soothe their anxiety. Some dogs become anxious when they are ill. Reassure them that this is not their fault, and do not punish them if they have an accident or vomit.[15]

Soft music can help soothe anxious dogs; some dogs may even like to hear you hum softly while you pet them.[16]

Keep your home quiet and let your dog rest.

Some anxious dogs enjoy having snug clothing on them. The gentle pressure helps them to relax and feel more calm. You can wrap your dog in a blanket, or a snug t-shirt.